Microsoft could be the next Big Tech antitrust target
Microsoft's AI advantage just became a regulatory liability. The FTC is now asking competitors what they're worried about—and the answers could reshape cloud AI.
Why it matters
As Microsoft's dominance in AI infrastructure (via Azure and OpenAI partnership) grows, antitrust scrutiny is shifting from consumer platforms to enterprise AI markets. This could affect how tech leaders structure cloud strategy and competitive positioning in the AI economy.
The key facts
5 to knowFTC sent civil investigative demands (CIDs) to at least half a dozen Microsoft competitors
FTC investigating potentially exclusionary behavior around Azure cloud services
Investigation suggests Microsoft's 'grace period' from Big Tech antitrust pressure is ending
Focus appears to be on AI and cloud service bundling practices
Published June 2026 — ongoing regulatory action
Go to the source
The Verge Techtheverge.com
Publisher excerpt: Over the past several years, Microsoft has largely managed to withstand populist calls to break up Big Tech while peers faced sweeping lawsuits. But a probe by the Federal Trade Commission suggests that grace period could be nearing an end. Earlier this year, Bloomberg outlined the contents of…